UltimateCity Guide Reykjavík
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Stories from Reykjavík, Iceland

Every story, long read and guide in the ULTIMATE Reykjavík City Guide, in one place.

Areas

Reykjavík by area

From the old centre of postcode 101 to the harbour, the hills of Hlíðar, Laugardalur’s green valley, the west end, Seltjarnarnes and the towns of Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður: each area has its own guide.

The painted rainbow street of Skólavörðustígur, leading up to HallgrímskirkjaArea guideMiðborgThe old centre, 101Boats in the Old Harbour of Reykjavík on a still day, with Harpa behindArea guideOld Harbour & GrandiHarpa and the boatsThe golden sand of Nauthólsvík geothermal beach from the air, with Perlan on the hill behindArea guideHlíðar & ÖskjuhlíðPerlan and the beachSundhöll Reykjavíkur, one of the city’s geothermal poolsArea guideLaugardalurThe valley of the poolsThe National Museum of Iceland on Suðurgata, with its bannersArea guideVesturbærThe west end

On foot

The old centre is small enough to cross in twenty minutes: stay in 101 and walk, and keep the bus for Perlan, Laugardalur and Árbær.

  1. Area guideSeltjarnarnesGrótta lighthouse
  2. Area guideKópavogur & HafnarfjörðurSky Lagoon and the Christmas Village

Practical

Plan your trip

The practical things to know before you go: the airport and the Flybus, the City Card, the weather and the roads, and itineraries for a first visit.

Reykjavík at sunset from Perlan, with the spire of Hallgrímskirkja against the bayBefore you goReykjavík essentialsEntry, the airport, 112 and the weatherA yellow Strætó bus on Vonarstræti in central ReykjavíkGetting aroundGetting around ReykjavíkThe Flybus, the buses and the City CardThe path through the Almannagjá rift at ÞingvellirItineraryThree days in ReykjavíkThe classic first visitThe milky-blue water of the Blue Lagoon among the lava, below ÞorbjörnLuxury guideLUX LivingThe finest addressesThe white Art Deco façade of Hotel Borg on AusturvöllurItineraryThe Gold weekendHotel Borg, ÓX, DILL and Sky Lagoon
  1. ItineraryThe Platinum weekendThe EDITION, The Retreat and Moss

Our advice

Swim like a local

The city’s geothermal pools are open all year and eight of them are in the Reykjavík City Card. Shower without a swimsuit before you swim, then sit in the hot tubs where Reykjavík meets to talk. Pools and spas

Day trips

Beyond the city

The Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes, the south coast and Snæfellsnes: Iceland’s great landscapes, each a day from the city.

Gullfoss falling into its canyon, with a rainbow in the sprayBeyond the cityThe Golden CircleÞingvellir, Geysir and GullfossBeyond the cityBlue Lagoon & ReykjanesThe lagoon and the lavaSkógafoss pouring over the green cliffs into a cloud of sprayBeyond the cityThe south coastWaterfalls and black sand
  1. Beyond the citySnæfellsnesKirkjufell and the glacier

Our advice

Let the weather lead

Iceland’s weather changes fast and winter days are short. Plan one day trip at a time, keep the next day free, and at Reynisfjara stay well back from the waves. Driving in Iceland

In depth

In depth: Reykjavík, between sea and fire

Eating in Reykjavík, the hotels, the city between sea and fire, sagas and music, driving in Iceland, getting around and buying a home: the stories behind the city.

The Oslo Christmas tree lit on Austurvöllur beside Reykjavík CathedralChristmas & New YearChristmas in ReykjavíkYule Lads, the Oslo tree and the marketsAn Atlantic puffin stretching its wings on a rock in IcelandIn depth: nature & wildlifeWild ReykjavíkWhales, puffins and Arctic ternsFeatureReykjavík, the classic and the newHotels, the harbour, the table and the pools

Before you drive

Check umferdin.is for the roads, vedur.is for the weather and safetravel.is for alerts every morning: in Iceland the weather decides the day.

  1. The back storySagas, music and artThe galleries, Harpa and Airwaves
  2. The back storyEating in ReykjavíkThe starred tables and the hot dog
  3. The back storyThe hotelsFrom Hotel Borg to the EDITION
  4. The back storyDriving in IcelandRoads, weather and the beaches
  5. The back storyGetting aroundThe Flybus, the buses and the port
  6. The back storyBuying in ReykjavíkThe neighbourhoods and the first steps

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